Clamp



B. NORTHUP.

CLAMP. APPLICATION HLED MAY 20, i919- 1,332,566. Patented Mar.2,1920.

IN VEN TOR.

v m ATTORNEYS.

BENJAMIN NORTHUP, 0F KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Application filed May 20, 1919. Serial No. 298,439.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN NORTHUP, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in clamps.

My improved clamp is essentially designed by me as a paper clamp or clamp for clamping paper for paper cutting machines and the like, although it is advantageous for use in other relations.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved clamp which is quickly and easily operated to actuate and release and at the same time is quite powerful.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims- A structure which is a preferred embodi ment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a side view ofmy improved clamp shown in open position by full lines and in closed position by dotted lines.

Fig. II is a plan view with the clamp open.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. II.

Fig. IV is an enlarged detail section of parts shown in Fig. III in actuated position.

Fig. V is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Figs. I and II, showing the adjustable support for the pawl guard.

In the drawing similar reference char acters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the base 1, in the structure illustrated, is adapted as a clamping plate and is provided with an upwardly projecting arm or bracket 2. The clamping lever 8 is preferably forked as shown and mounted on the upper end of this bracket 2 by means of the pivot 4. The clamping jaw 5 is mounted on the forward end of the lever 3 by means of the pivot 6, the clamping jaw having a pair of ears 7 to embrace the forward end of the lever and receive the pivot as shown in Fig. II, thus avoiding lateral or twisting strains.

The actuating lever 8 which is also preferably forked as shown is mounted on the pivot 9 at the rear end of the actuating lever. A ratchet segment 10 is mounted on the bracket to project upwardly therefrom so that the clamping lever swings over it as the clamping lever is swung to open and close the clamp.

The pawl 11 is mounted on the actuating lever at 12 eccentrically of its supporting pivot 9 so that when the pawl is engaged and the actuating lever is swung forwardly over the clamping lever, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. I, the clamp is actuated, stress is applied thereto and the clamp is locked in its actuated position owing to the pivot 12 of the pawl swinging past the plane of the actuating lever pivot and engaging the tip of the pawl as shown in Fig. IV.

To prevent the engagement of the pawl prior to a predetermined point I provide a guard 13 which is slotted at 14 to receive the bolts 15 on the arms of the clamping lever. The guard thus mounted may be raised and lowered owing to the eccentric mounting of the pawl.

hen the actuating lever is swung to its open position the point of the pawl lies to the rear of this guard thereby preventing its engagement. As the lever is swung forwardly, however, the pawl is lowered relative to the guard so that it may engage with the ratchet segment.

My improved clamp is easily and quickly operated to engage or release it and has a very substantial clamping action. The structure illustrated is particularly designed by me for use as a paper clamp. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe modifications and adaptations which might be desirable for clamps intended for other purposes or certain modifications which I have made and contemplated and designed as paper clamps, as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1, In a clamp, the combination of a base member constituting a clamping plate and having an upwardly projecting bracket thereon, a forked clamping lever pivoted on said bracket, a clamping jaw pivoted on the front end of said clamping lever, a forked actuating lever-pivoted on the rear end of said clamping lever between the arms thereof, a ratchet segment on the rear side of said bracket and over which said clamping lever is adapted to swing, a coacting pawl pivoted between the arms of said actuating lever eccentrically relative to its pivot so that when the pawl is engaged and the actuating lever swung forwardly the clamp is actuated and locked in actuated position, and a pawl guard member adjustably mounted on said clamping lever between its arms.

2. In a clamp, the combination of a base member constituting a clamping plate and having an upwardly projecting. bracket thereon, a forked clamping lever pivoted on said bracket, a clamping jaw pivoted on the frontend of said clamping lever, a forked actuating lever pivoted on the rear end of saidclamping lever between the arms. thereof, a ratchet segment on the rear side of said bracket and over which said clamping lever is adapted to swing, and a coacting pawl pivoted between the arms of said actuating lever eccentrically relative to its pivot so that when the pawl is engaged and the actuating lever swung forwardly the clamp is actuated and locked in actuated position.

3. In a clamp, the combination of a base member constituting a clamping plate and having an upwardly projecting bracket thereon, a clamping lever pivoted on said bracket, a clamping jaw pivoted on the front end of said clamping lever, an actuating lever pivoted on the rear end of said clamping lever, a ratchet segment on the rear side of said bracket, a coacting pawl pivotally'mounted on said actuating lever eccentrically relative to its pivot so that when the pawl is engaged and the actuating lever swung forwardly the clamp is actuated and locked in actuated position, and 'a pawl guard member adjustably mounted on said clamping lever between its arms.

4. In a clamp, the combination of a base member constituting a. clamping plate and having an upwardly projecting bracket thereon, a clamping lever pivoted on said bracket, a clamping jaw pivoted on the front end of said clamping lever, an actuating lever pivoted on the rear end of said clamping lever, a ratchet segmenton the rear side of said bracket, and a coacting pawl pivotally mounted on said actuating lever eccentrically relative to its pivot so that when the pawl is engaged and the actuating lever swung forwardly" the clamp is actuated and locked in actuated position.

5. In a clamp, the combination of a base, a clamping lever pivotally mounted onsaid base, a clamping jaw pivoted on the front end of said clamping lever, an actuating lever pivoted on the rear end of saidclamping lever, a ratchet segment on said base, a coacting pawl mounted 'on said actuating lever eccentrically relative to its pivot so that when "the pawl is engaged andthe actuating lever swung forwardly the clamp is actuated and locked in actuated position, and a pawl guard member adjustably mounted on said clamping lever.

6. In a clamp, the combination of a base, a clamping lever pivotally mounted on said base, a clamping jaw pivoted on the front end of said clamping lever, an actuating lever pivotedon the rear end of said clamping lever, a ratchet segment on said base, and a coactingpawl mounted on said actuating lever eccentrically relative to its pivot so that when the pawl is engaged and the actuating lever swung forwardly the clamp is actuated and locked in actuated position.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN NORTHUP. [n s] Witnesses:

Mrs. FANNIE PELL, L. E; LITTLE. 

